Search - sumo

 
 
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 8, 2020

Sumo's unique kanreki ceremonies provide windows into past

It's looking increasingly likely that it could be December (or even 2021) before Isegahama will be able to don the red rope.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 30, 2019

Unpredictable banzuke adds flavor to sumo

For sports journalists based in Japan's capital, no reminders are needed to know the last of the three annual non-Tokyo tournaments is just around the corner.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 18, 2019

Sumo 101: College graduates in sumo

New entrants into the world of sumo generally fall into three groups.
SUMO
Mar 16, 2019

Sumo 101: Manga

Sumo is currently experiencing a boom in popularity overseas.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Sep 18, 2017

Sumo helps with heavy lifting in language

Consider today's column my personal testimony that the sport of sumo can be a very useful aid for learning the Japanese language.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Nov 7, 2016

Strength and tradition draw women back to sumo world

Let's face it, where else are we going to watch a lot of large, near-naked men wrestle each other in a tiny dirt arena?
Japan Times
JAPAN / CHUBU CONNECTION
Jul 5, 2013

Hard-charging foreigners inspire Nagoya University sumo team

With the 2013 July Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya set to kick off Sunday, Osunaarashi of Egypt is grabbing the media spotlight as the first pro sumo wrestler from Africa.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 3, 2023

Media returns to Kokugikan as sumo resumes in-person activities

Over the past few years, virtually all press club interviews with rikishi have taken place online, limiting fans' insights into their favorite wrestlers.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 1, 2023

Hakuho positions himself to dominate sumo once again

Now known as Miyagino, the former yokozuna's proactive recruiting style has seen the stable add some seriously impressive talent under his watch.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 25, 2023

Not promoting Takakeisho is the right move for both him and sumo

Against a field which contained no other ozeki or yokozuna, the 26-year-old failed to dominate in a manner which would have made promotion impossible to deny.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 6, 2022

Far from war, Ukraine sumo team trains for global glory in Japan

The wrestlers, hailing from one of amateur sumo's hotbeds of activity, flew to the United States on Tuesday after completing a monthlong camp ahead of the World Games.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 18, 2022

Frenzied Summer Basho offering little clarity on sumo's future

After 10 days, virtually every pre-basho prediction made by columnists, experts and insiders about what might transpire in the May meet has gone up in flames.
SUMO
May 6, 2022

Element of surprise set to add more flavor to May Grand Sumo Tournament

A reduction in the amount of detailed reports emanating from sumo ensures the surprise factor from tournament to tournament remains high.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 21, 2020

Venerable Ryogoku Kokugikan has allowed sumo to successfully cope with pandemic

Possessing its own full-size arena has allowed the Japan Sumo Association to easily switch tournaments scheduled for other cities to its home base in Tokyo.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 5, 2020

Terunofuji completed what may be sumo's most unlikely comeback ever

Terunofuji not only fell out of the paid divisions, after a series of injuries and illnesses, but plummeted all the way down to sumo's second lowest tier.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 10, 2020

Sumo's rigid lifestyle offers bubble of protection against coronavirus disruption

With just one case of infection and wrestlers already living in a state of near-isolation, professional sumo may survive the COVID-19 pandemic without a significant decrease in the level of competition.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 4, 2020

JSA eager to use 2020 spotlight to call attention to sumo culture

The Japan Sumo Association is putting its considerable weight behind the 2020 Tokyo Games as it looks to use the international extravaganza to promote the country's national sport.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 9, 2020

Sumo practice blowups nothing new in sport ruled by traditions

The problem of violence reared its ugly head in sumo again recently, but this time it came with a twist.
SUMO
Sep 17, 2019

Sumo 101: Sumo on the silver screen

For an activity as visually fascinating as sumo, there are precious few movies about the sport.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 28, 2019

Japan slow to offer support to women's sumo

"It's not only boys who can practice and enjoy sumo. There are girls that like sumo too. I hope someday women can become pros."
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 16, 2019

Kids sumo offers wrestlers an early start

As outlined in a previous Sumo 101, joining sumo is often a matter of just getting in touch with a stable.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 26, 2019

Much talk, no action from sumo committees

The Japan Sumo Association loves committees.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 7, 2019

Sumo lacks marquee rivalries of recent times

The upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament seems to have everything going for it.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jan 25, 2019

Sumo 101: Sumo's birthplace

Ryogoku is the center of the sumo world.
EDITORIALS
Sep 29, 2018

Takanohana exit a big loss for sumo

The departure of Takanohana from the Japan Sumo Association should never have been allowed to happen.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Apr 16, 2018

Let's discuss women and sumo

A controversy over gender discrimination in sumo flared earlier this month after a referee urged two women to stay out of the ring as they tried to assist an unconscious official.

Longform

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